Place Names – Page 29 – Less Beaten Paths of America

29Feb 2012 by David Kravetz

Maybe not strange, but Peculiar…

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Missouri, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Water Towers

Peculiar, MO[/caption] Just as there is a Normal in Illinois, there is a Peculiar in Missouri. Yes, this is more than a strange name for a town, it is a Peculiar name. On a trip to Kansas City in January 2011, I made my way to Peculiar. [caption id="attachment_34" align="alignleft" width="300"] Peculiar welcome sign[/caption] I love hitting places like this. According to legend, Peculiar received its name when the first postmaster, Edgar Thomson, had his first choice, Excelsior, rejected because it already existed in Atchison County, MO. Apparently, a number of other choices were also rejected. So, the annoyed Thomson wrote to the Postmaster General to complain saying, among other things, "We don't care what name you give us so long as it is sort of 'peculiar'." Thomson submitted the…

Is This Normal?

Backroads Discoveries, Giant Things, Illinois, Landscapes, Large Statues, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Water Towers

A Normal Water Tower[/caption] The town officially was called Normal in 1865, based on the school of the same name. The school eventually became Illinois State University, but the town has remained Normal ever since. Where is Normal? View Larger Map]]>

I've Been Everywhere

Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bucket List Trips, Place Names

Welcome to Earth, TX[/caption] Indeed, I have been to almost every major city in the country and most in Canada (with the exception of eastern cities in Canada -- from Montreal on). I have been to every state in the union except for Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire (and yes, I have been to Hawaii and Alaska!!). I have been to most National Parks and Monuments, major museums and tourist spots. [caption id="attachment_14" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Old Days, Good Times I Remember[/caption] It all started when I was young, watching "On the Road with Charles Kuralt" and looking at black and white travel books published by Time/Life. Yes, as the Rare Earth song goes, I was "Born to Wander." [caption id="attachment_15" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Welxome to Bucksnort[/caption] But, with all the places…

Category: Place Names